Gary Sharkey has been elected as the new President of UK Flour Millers at the organisation’s annual meeting in Cambridge, UK. Sharkey, who serves as Procurement Director for Hovis, is a veteran of the grain business and former President of the European Flour Millers Association.
During his acceptance of the nomination, he said: “I am delighted to take on the role of leading an industry that plays a crucial part in the UK’s food supply. Flour is the source of about 20% of the energy in our diet. It is often described as a carbohydrate food, but it also supplies 20% of dietary protein, a third of our fibre and around 30% of calcium, iron and crucial B vitamins along with smaller proportion of other essential nutrients. The industry that delivers this, and the chain of which it is part, is a critical part of our food infrastructure.”
Sharkey also paid tribute to his predecessor Roger Butler, Chair of Whitworth Brothers, who led the industry through an incredibly challenging years during the “triple whammy” of Brexit, Covid, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Roger did a tremendous job, making sure that our industry’s voice was heard through these tumultuous events. I look forward to carrying on this work as we face into continuing volatility on energy and commodity markets, a much higher cost base and the long-term sustainability challenge,” Sharkey said.
This news follows on from the appointment of Alistair Gale as Chief Executive, who was appointed in the role back in March 2023. At his appointment, he spoke of the vital nature of the UK flour milling sector.
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